Recreation management restrictions, etc.: Wallowa and Grande Ronde River corridors, OR and WA; prohibited acts; supplementary rules,

[Federal Register: November 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 224)]

[Notices]

[Page 63829-63830]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr22no99-123]

[[Page 63829]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-030-1220-00 PD; HAG99-0309]

Proposed Prohibited Acts on Public Land in Oregon

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Vale District, Baker Field Office, Oregon/Washington.

ACTION: Proposed supplementary rules for public land within the Wallowa and Grande Ronde River corridors, Baker Resource Area, Vale District, Oregon and Washington.

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Baker Field Office is proposing supplementary rules. These supplementary rules will apply in parts of the canyons of the Wallowa River and the Grande Ronde River in Oregon and Washington. The supplementary rules will govern conduct on all public lands managed by BLM within the river corridors described in the notice. The supplementary rules are needed in order to protect the rivers' natural resources and the public health and safety.

DATES: You should submit your comments by December 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand-deliver comments on the proposed supplementary rule to Bureau of Land Management, Baker Field Office. 3165 10th St., Baker City, OR 97814. You may also comment via the Internet to: vale__mail@blm.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Penelope Dunn-Woods, Baker Field Office Manager, 3165 10th St., Baker City, OR 97814, telephone (541) 523-1256.

PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES: Please submit your comments on issues related to the proposed supplementary rules, in writing, according to the ADDRESSES section above. Comments on the proposed supplementary rule should be specific, should be confined to issues pertinent to the proposed supplementary rules, and should explain the reason for any recommended change. Where possible, your comments should reference the specific section or paragraph of the proposal that you are addressing. BLM may not necessarily consider or include in the Administrative Record for the final supplementary rule comments that BLM receives after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES).

BLM will make your comments, including your name and address, available for public review at the Baker Resource Area address listed in ADDRESSES above during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays).

Under certain conditions, BLM can keep your personal information confidential. You must prominently state your request for confidentiality at the beginning of your comment. BLM will consider withholding your name, street address, and other identifying information on a case-by-case basis to the extent allowed by law. BLM will make available to the public all submissions from organizations and businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses.

DISCUSSION OF THE RULES: These supplementary rules will apply to portions of both the Wallowa and Grande Ronde river corridors managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In the canyon of the Wallowa River this includes public lands within \1/4\ mile of the mean high water mark of that portion of the river from mile 10 to the river's confluence with the Grande Ronde River. In the canyon of the Grande Ronde River includes public lands \1/4\ mile above the mean high water mark in the Washington State portion, and the public land in Oregon from approximately river mile 86.5 to the Oregon-Washington State line. BLM has determined these supplementary rules are necessary to protect the rivers' nature resources and to provide for safe public recreation, public health, and data collection. Our objective is to provide a quality recreational experience to the general public, with minimal amounts of user conflicts, and minimum damage to the public lands and resources.

In addition, these supplementary rules are in accordance with the Wallowa & Grande Ronde Rivers Final Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, December 1993, and conform to U.S. Forest Service regulations for management of adjacent segments of both rivers. You may read legal descriptions of the areas to which this order applies at the Baker Field Office, or find them in the Wallowa/Grande Final Management Plan, and in the 1995 & 1999 Vale District Project & Planning Update for the Baker Field Office.

Supplementary Rules for Wallowa and Grande Ronde River Canyons

Under 43 CFR 8365.1-6 and 43 CFR 8351.2-1, the Bureau of Land Management will enforce the following supplementary rules on portions of both the Wallowa and Grand Ronde river corridors managed by BLM. In the canyon of the Wallowa River this includes public lands within \1/4\ mile of the mean high water mark of that portion of the river from mile 10 to the river's confluence with the Grande Ronde River. In the canyon of the Grande Ronde River this includes public lands within \1/4\ mile above the mean high water mark in the Washington state portion, and the public land in Oregon from approximately river mile 86.5 to the Oregon- Washington state line. In all of these areas you must follow these supplementary rules:

1. Fires

   (A) You must not build, maintain, or use a fire or campfire unless it is fully contained in a fireproof container with sides of a height sufficient to contain all ash and debris.

   (B) You must not leave any campfire debris in the river corridor. This includes all ash, wood, or charcoal residue, or partially consumed briquets. All campfire ash and debris must be packed out of the river corridors.

2. Firewood and Vegetation

   (A) You must not cut any live tree or vegetation,

   (B) You must not cut or use other than dead and down material.

3. Sanitation

   (A) You must carry and use a portable, containerized toilet during float trips.

   (B) You must not dispose of solid human body waste except at designated locations or fixtures provided for that purpose.

4. Firearms

   (A) You must not discharge a firearm within 150 yards of any occupied site, across any road or river, or in violation of State law.

5. Boating

   (A) You must not operate motorized watercraft anywhere on the Grande Ronde River from the Umatilla National Forest Boundary marker (1.5 miles below the confluence with the Wallowa River at approximately river mile 80) downstream to the Oregon/Washington State line (approximately river mile 38.5).

   (B) You must not violate any State Marine Board regulation.

6. Camping

   (A) You must not camp in any area posted as ``Closed'' to that use.

   [[Page 63830]]

7. Vehicles

   (A) You must not enter the river corridor by motor vehicle in any area closed to that use.

   (B) You must not operate a vehicle on other than established roads and trails.

8. Motorized Equipment

   (A) You must not possess or use any motorized equipment or machinery activated by a non-living power source within the designated wild section of the Grande Ronde River from the USFS boundary near Grossman Creek (approximately river mile 62) downstream to Wildcat Creek (approximately river mile 53).

   (B) You may use small, battery-powered, hand carried devices.

9. Other Acts

   (A) No party or group larger than 25 people may launch, be on the river, stop, or camp within the boundary stated in these supplementary rules.

   (B) You must obtain a permit for any boat trip prior to launching.

   (C) You must follow the requirements of your permit and its permit stipulations.

   (D) You must follow the regulations posted at launch sites.

10. Exemptions

    Persons who are exempt from these supplementary rules include any Federal, State, or local officer, and members of any organized rescue or fire-fighting force in performance of an official duty, and any person authorized in writing by the Bureau of Land Management.

    Penalties

    (A) Under 18 U.S.C. 3571 and 43 CFR 8351.2-1, any person who violates any of these supplementary rules within the wild and Scenic portions of the river corridors may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $500 or imprisoned for no more than 6 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by Title 18 U.S.C. 3571.

    (B) On public lands outside of the designated Wild and Scenic river corridors, under section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)) and 43 CFR 8365.1-6 any person who violates any of these supplementary rules within the boundaries established in the supplementary rules may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571. Charles Wassinger, Associate State Director.

    [FR Doc. 99-29356Filed11-19-99; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4310-33-M